Munnelly Group has broken with 43 years of family ownership tradition by awarding shares to a non-family member for the first time.

Director Will Noble, who joined in 2001 and has been on the main board since 2008, has been granted a significant stake in the business.

Group chief executive Paul David Munnelly hailed the move as a landmark moment that recognised Noble’s exceptional contribution.

“Will has been at the heart of our growth story for nearly 25 years, and this step represents both recognition of his past achievements and confidence in the future success we will build together.”

Noble cut his teeth as a logistics expert at Bovis, Lend Lease and Laing O’Rourke before joining Munnelly.

He has helped expand its major projects portfolio across the UK.

Founded in 1982, Munnelly Group has grown into a multi-business operation spanning technology, geospatial surveying, pre-construction consultancy, access control, security, resourcing, payroll and logistics.